New 2023

We will collect you from a central city pick up point in Queenstown around 09:00am. We drive a short distance to the Moonlight Track trail head to commence todays walk.

The Shotover Valley was an early Maori trading route to the West Coast which then became the site of one of the world’s most significant 19th century gold strikes. A narrow but well defined trail follows one of the most dramatic and scenic valleys in the Wakatipu Basin. The walk initially traverses high above the Shotover River, once called “the richest river in the world”.

Our route descends into the old gold mining settlement of Sefferstown which was a gold rush tent village with over 3,000 occupants at its peak in 1863. Named from its occupation by the large Seffers family (of Crimean/Russian origin) the village contained several stores, a hotel, post office and library.

Following Moonlight Creek, the trail undulates beneath bluffs with views of soaring tussock covered ridges and native forest before coming to a plateau where the impressive Moonlight Lodge is located, overlooking sweeping tussock terraces and stunning beech forest.

As day turns to night we savour the sun setting behind mountain silhouettes and a star-studded sky – one of the clearest and darkest skies in the southern hemisphere, and enjoy a delicious meal at Moonlight Lodge prepared especially for you by our chef.

The lodge consists of comfortable double/twin ensuite rooms along with open plan lounge and dining areas (licensed bar) which are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the large stone fireplace and commanding views.

From the lodge we climb up to and along the ridgeline which separates the Shotover River and Moonlight River valleys and offers you breathtaking views of the Southern Alps out over the Shotover river towards Coronet Peak famous for its world class ski field.

The panoramas here are spectacular and will delight you with the contrasting colours and contours that they generate.

Once we reach the head of Blue Jacket Creek we will have lunch and soak in the views. After lunch we walk back along the ridge and descend to Jones Creek and walk through the beech forest to Moonlight Creek and on to Moonlight Lodge.

Todays hike will take us deep into beech forests, exploring mountain streams and waterfalls. We discover the remnants of the gold mining times whilst walking along historical water races and tailings with glimpses into the rich gold mining heritage of the area, once home to over 3000 gold miners during the 1862 gold rush.

In Moonlight Creek a cooling swim is possible.

After a picnic lunch we return to our accommodation where the remainder of the afternoon can be spent enjoying the comfortable surrounds of Moonlight Lodge and the mountain vistas.

Time: approx. 4hrs with breaks

After a final hearty breakfast, we farewell our hosts and leave Moonlight Lodge. We hike back down Moonlight Creek to the old gold mining settlement of Sefferstown on the junction of Moonlight and Moke Creek. From here we follow the track all the way out to the picturesque Moke Lake. Moke Lake is a real gem showcasing some mirror like reflections of the surrounding mountains and grasslands.

From Moke Lake we then board our vehicle and return to Queenstown and the end of your journey. Hiking distance 14.5km

ALTERNATIVE HELI HIKE FINISH
Todays hike and magical views have the potential to be the highlight of the trip. A heli-hike takes us trekking far from the valley floor and into the extraordinary sub-alpine environment of Ben Lomond (1748m).

The skilled pilot will land us on the north west ridge of Ben Lomond and then we are left in silence. Depending on the prevailing weather and group ability, we will aim to walk through the tussocks up a broad ridge line to the summit of Ben Lomond, a climb of up to 500m. From here there are awe-inspiring panoramas of Lake Wakatipu, the distant Remarkable and Richardson Ranges, along with the mountains and valleys we have been exploring over the past 3 days.

We descend until we reach the Skyline Gondola, which provides a quick ride down into Queenstown and then a short walk to the central luggage collection point to the conclusion of the trip

Time: approximately 5 hrs

Please Note: The flight is subject to weather conditions; a minimum number of passengers and the payment of an extra fee. Please enquire as to the details involved and pricing.